Deputies seized numerous handguns, rifles and shotguns from his home, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

DUNEDIN – A Dunedin man was arrested early Thursday (July 5) morning after he pointed a gun at family members during a domestic dispute, shot and killed the family dog, and pointed a gun at a deputy, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.

David Wheeler, 71, of Dunedin was charged with two counts of aggravated assault (domestic) and one count each of animal cruelty and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.

Pinellas deputies said they were called to Wheeler’s home on Suemar Road about 5:58 p.m. Wednesday (July 4) for a report of arguing and gunshots heard at the residence.

When deputies arrived, they said they could hear a man yelling inside the residence. Deputies set a perimeter around the home and contacted 68-year-old Barbara Wheeler and 32-year-old Ryan Wheeler, who both left the home at the request of deputies.

Deputies said they learned that Wheeler’s husband, David, had shot and killed the family dog and was still inside the home armed with a handgun.

Before shooting the dog, deputies said, David Wheeler threatened to kill his wife and pointed a .45 caliber handgun at her. Wheeler’s son, Ryan, tried to intervene. Wheeler threatened his son with the handgun and
threatened to shoot himself.

Deputies were trying to establish communication with David Wheeler when, they said, they spotted him pointing a handgun through the front window of the residence at a deputy who was on perimeter.

Deputies spent more than an hour trying to convince Wheeler to leave the house peacefully with no success. About 3:35 a.m. Thursday (July 5), Wheeler voluntarily left his residence and was taken into custody without incident.

Wheeler was taken to the Pinellas County Jail where he was charged and where he will receive a mental health evaluation.

Deputies said they seized numerous handguns, rifles and shotguns from Wheeler’s home.